To commemorate the inauguration of the new boutique at Caesar’s Palace Forum Shops at Las Vegas, Hublot launched the Vegas boutique-exclusive Hublot Big Bang Las Vegas Edition timepieces. When there are technically four different references, they’re all functionally the same watch offered with distinct case materials and diamond configurations.At their center, these watches will be the Hublot Big Bang Chronograph powered by the calibre HUB4100, which is an automatic movement that delivers 42h of electricity book and beats in 28,800bph. I feel that the HUB4100 is either predicated off the ETA 2894-2 or is a modified version of it.I’m sure, given that the vegas connection and Hublot’s polarizing designs generally, you won’t be surprised when I say that these watches will not be to everybody’s tastes. The first two variants start off using a microblasted black porcelain case, while another two are a combination of ceramic and anodized aluminum and are put with 212 black diamonds.The bezels on every one of the watches change also, with the easiest being a black porcelain like the case and the more elaborate ones having anywhere between 48 to 114 diamonds set in them. The most exclusive alternative — restricted to one piece only — comes with the 48 baguette cut diamonds. These watches are ideal for somebody who’s looking for some bling (possibly to indicate that they’ve had a successful run at the tables) and is not particularly picky about legibility. Perhaps it’s the provided press images or could just be me, but it seems like legibility was not a key consideration in the design process.
Having put denim and embroidery on the dials of its watches, Hublot has now turned to French shoemaker Berluti for its trademark Venezia leather, including the signature Berluti Scritto hide. Tanned to give it a variegated finish resembling the patina of age, Berluti’s leathers synonymous with the brand.
The Hublot and Berluti collaboration is available in two guises, both limited edition. The more affordable is the Classic Fusion Berluti All Black, a 500-piece limited edition in black ceramic and titanium with the dial and strap in nero grigio Venezia leather that’s a striking grey-black. The strap features the “Gaspard” slash, a fold in the leather secured by a single stitch. This is priced at SFR13,900 or S$23,400 in Singapore.
The Classic Fusion Berluti Scritto combines 18k King Gold, a rose gold alloy, with Venezia Scritto leather. Laser engraved with calligraphy, Scritto leather is Berluti’s most recognisable material, especially in the rich golden brown tobacco bis colour found here. This is limited to 250 pieces, with a price of SFr27,900 or S$46,800.
Both Classic Fusion Berluti watches are 41 mm in diameter, and come packaged in a large box covered in the same Berluti leather as the dial and strap. Inside is a Berluti leather watch pouch, along with various implements for polishing the leather, including wax and brushes.